Process for the separation and recovery of boron compounds from a geothermal brine

摘要

Boron compounds are separated are recovered from a geothermal brine, which additionally contains inorganic salts, such as sodium and potassium chlorides and sulphates, by means of a process comprising the following process steps: a) pre-concentration of the geothermal brine by expansion up to room pressure, to to a pressure lower than room pressure; b) concentration of the pre-concentrated brine, coming from the (a) step, by means of an osmotic treatment against a concentrated aqueos solution of recycled inorganic salts; c) treatment of crystallization of the concentrated brine, coming from the (b) step, with the separation of the solid inorganic salts form an aqueous solution of boron compounds; d) recycle of the inorganic salts separated in the (c) step, to the (b) step of osmosis, in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution; and e) recovery of boron compounds from the relevant aqueous solution obtained in the (c) step. f